Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

Disabled orphan Rasha, 2, rests in the orphanage where she lives on December 13, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Rasha was abandoned at birth by her parents at the hospital. Iraq's health care system remains in shambles following two decades of war and economic sanctions. Following the 2003 U.S. invasion, thousands of physicians fled the country while others were killed. Some physicians have since returned but there is still a critical shortage of doctors. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Disabled orphan Rasha, 2, rests in the orphanage where she lives on December 13, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Rasha was abandoned at birth by her parents at the hospital. Iraq's health care system remains in shambles following two decades of war and economic sanctions. Following the 2003 U.S. invasion, thousands of physicians fled the country while others were killed. Some physicians have since returned but there is still a critical shortage of doctors. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

Iraqis attend a women's art exhibition sponsored by Iraqi Parliament member Safi Asiheil in a posh Baghdad neighborhood on December 14, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraqis attend a women's art exhibition sponsored by Iraqi Parliament member Safi Asiheil in a posh Baghdad neighborhood on December 14, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

An Iraqi Army special forces soldier smokes outside a women's art exhibition sponsored by Iraqi Parliament member Safi Asiheil in a posh Baghdad neighborhood on December 14, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

An Iraqi Army special forces soldier smokes outside a women's art exhibition sponsored by Iraqi Parliament member Safi Asiheil in a posh Baghdad neighborhood on December 14, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

Disabled orphan Rasha, 2, rests in the orphanage where she lives on December 13, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Rasha was abandoned at birth by her parents at the hospital. Iraq's health care system remains in shambles following two decades of war and economic sanctions. Following the 2003 U.S. invasion, thousands of physicians fled the country while others were killed. Some physicians have since returned but there is still a critical shortage of doctors. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Disabled orphan Rasha, 2, rests in the orphanage where she lives on December 13, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Rasha was abandoned at birth by her parents at the hospital. Iraq's health care system remains in shambles following two decades of war and economic sanctions. Following the 2003 U.S. invasion, thousands of physicians fled the country while others were killed. Some physicians have since returned but there is still a critical shortage of doctors. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

A woman wearing a hijab walks down a street on December 12, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

A woman wearing a hijab walks down a street on December 12, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

Orphans take a class in an orphanage on December 12, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Estimates suggest there may be more than one million orphans currently in the country, with many having lost parents to war-related violence. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Orphans take a class in an orphanage on December 12, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Estimates suggest there may be more than one million orphans currently in the country, with many having lost parents to war-related violence. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

Orphans Randa Monam (L) and Marwa Hassan, who both lost parents in war-related violence, stand in the orphanage where they now live on December 12, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Both of Monam's parents were killed by an explosion in 2005 and Hassan's father was executed in 2008. Estimates suggest there may be more than one million orphans currently in the country, with many having lost parents to war-related violence. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Orphans Randa Monam (L) and Marwa Hassan, who both lost parents in war-related violence, stand in the orphanage where they now live on December 12, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Both of Monam's parents were killed by an explosion in 2005 and Hassan's father was executed in 2008. Estimates suggest there may be more than one million orphans currently in the country, with many having lost parents to war-related violence. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

Widow Wafaa Shahab (C) holds a photo of her deceased husband Bassim Muhammed while posing with her sons Nooreldin Bassim (L) and Ahmed Bassim on December 12, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Muhammed was said to have been executed by al Qaeda militants in front of his house, forcing Shahab and her three children to flee to Syria and northern Iraq for three years. Nooreldin and Ahmed witnessed the killing. A study by Relief International concluded that around10 percent of the approximately 15 million women living in Iraq are widows. A United Nations report estimated that nearly 100 women were widowed daily at the height of the sectarian violence in 2006. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Widow Wafaa Shahab (C) holds a photo of her deceased husband Bassim Muhammed while posing with her sons Nooreldin Bassim (L) and Ahmed Bassim on December 12, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Muhammed was said to have been executed by al Qaeda militants in front of his house, forcing Shahab and her three children to flee to Syria and northern Iraq for three years. Nooreldin and Ahmed witnessed the killing. A study by Relief International concluded that around10 percent of the approximately 15 million women living in Iraq are widows. A United Nations report estimated that nearly 100 women were widowed daily at the height of the sectarian violence in 2006. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

Disabled athlete Saad Hussein, who said he was wounded by an American bomb in January, 2008, walks past a blast wall through the Al Thura Disabled Veteran’s Community to meet a family member who lives there on December 11, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Hussein said he was farming with his cousin when the bomb struck. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Disabled athlete Saad Hussein, who said he was wounded by an American bomb in January, 2008, walks past a blast wall through the Al Thura Disabled Veteran’s Community to meet a family member who lives there on December 11, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Hussein said he was farming with his cousin when the bomb struck. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

Disabled athlete Saad Hussein, who said he was wounded by an American bomb in January, 2008, walks through the Al Thura Disabled Veteran’s Community to meet a family member who lives there on December 11, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Hussein said he was farming with his cousin when the bomb struck. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Disabled athlete Saad Hussein, who said he was wounded by an American bomb in January, 2008, walks through the Al Thura Disabled Veteran’s Community to meet a family member who lives there on December 11, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Hussein said he was farming with his cousin when the bomb struck. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

The Al Doura oil refinery is seen on the banks of the Tigris River as electric lights from a restaurant shine on December 10, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

The Al Doura oil refinery is seen on the banks of the Tigris River as electric lights from a restaurant shine on December 10, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

Iraqis relax in a hamam, or Turkish bath, on December 10, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Some Iraqis visit the baths because they do not have hot water at home due to the continued electricity shortage while others visit to relax. Outside of the Kurdish north, most Iraqis receive just five hours per day of electricity. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraqis relax in a hamam, or Turkish bath, on December 10, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Some Iraqis visit the baths because they do not have hot water at home due to the continued electricity shortage while others visit to relax. Outside of the Kurdish north, most Iraqis receive just five hours per day of electricity. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

Children practice soccer at sunset on December 8, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country with all troops scheduled to depart by December 31. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Children practice soccer at sunset on December 8, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country with all troops scheduled to depart by December 31. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

An Iraq Police officer mans a checkpoint decorated with plastic flowers on December 8, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country with all troops scheduled to depart by December 31. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

An Iraq Police officer mans a checkpoint decorated with plastic flowers on December 8, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country with all troops scheduled to depart by December 31. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Iraq Transitions As U.S. Forces Withdraw After 8-Year Presence

Mario Tama

A Shi'ite worshiper washes himself after cutting his scalp in a ritual display of mourning during an Ashura commemoration ceremony outside Kadhimiya shrine on December 6, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Ashura marks the death of Prophet Muhammad's grandson the revered Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq in 680 AD. Shi'ite festivals were prohibited during the time of Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein's rule. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. According to the Iraq Body Count at least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq and more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

A Shi'ite worshiper washes himself after cutting his scalp in a ritual display of mourning during an Ashura commemoration ceremony outside Kadhimiya shrine on December 6, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Ashura marks the death of Prophet Muhammad's grandson the revered Imam Hussein in Karbala, Iraq in 680 AD. Shi'ite festivals were prohibited during the time of Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein's rule. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. According to the Iraq Body Count at least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq and more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence.

Keywords

Disabled orphan Rasha rests in the orphanage where she lives on... News PhotoBaghdad,Bestpix,Conflict,Disability,Horizontal,Iraq,Iraq War 2003-2011,Orphan,Orphanage,Resting,Topix,WarPhotographer Mario TamaCollection: Getty Images News 2011 Getty ImagesBAGHDAD, IRAQ - DECEMBER 13: Disabled orphan Rasha, 2, rests in the orphanage where she lives on December 13, 2011 in Baghdad, Iraq. Rasha was abandoned at birth by her parents at the hospital. Iraq's health care system remains in shambles following two decades of war and economic sanctions. Following the 2003 U.S. invasion, thousands of physicians fled the country while others were killed. Some physicians have since returned but there is still a critical shortage of doctors. Iraq is transitioning nearly nine years after the 2003 U.S. invasion and subsequent occupation. American forces are now in the midst of the final stage of withdrawal from the war-torn country. At least 4,485 U.S. military personnel have died in service in Iraq. According to the Iraq Body Count, more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died from war-related violence. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)